I honestly loved the key program. I think I intentionally monitored my feelings on that during this talk so as not to minimize the struggle some people had being in those programs. I wished I could do that all the time! The quiz bowl thing and my dopamine centers were great friends.
I get that. I’ve heard a lot of negative experiences too. And I don’t think I ever realized how blessed I was to have the teachers we had, who took their jobs seriously and put their heart and soul into the program. It was my favorite thing about school and gave me a sense of self worth.
I had 3 (one in elementary, one for 5/6th grade social studies, one for 7/8th grade reading/LA).
My 7/8th grade teacher changed my life. She went to bat for us. She let us vent for a whole entire class period when we needed it. She let us do state testing on pillows on the floor. She was something.
I wish there was greater awareness surrounding the level of damage that can occur from misinformed, misled, undereducated, or outright negligent mental health providers. Maybe it wouldn’t change a lot, but maybe it would give back to patients some sense of agency.
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99 / 100 times, it’s the reverse.
My 7/8th grade teacher changed my life. She went to bat for us. She let us vent for a whole entire class period when we needed it. She let us do state testing on pillows on the floor. She was something.
Oh man. I felt that in my body. That hurted. 🔪